What inspires you?

2012 went out with a bang - blue bird skies, heaving tides, juicy practices, late nights out, and not a day where hunger dared rumbled through my belly.  I'm lucky to call the Island home when I'm in Vancouver, and Vancouver home when I'm back visiting my old stomping grounds on the Island.   Victoria pulled at all the old heart strings - starring the growing and flourishing local businesses of an incredible place to stroll and see what you stumble across.  It's inspiring to see people investing in the community and passionate about what gets them up and out the door every morning.  

Back into the swing of things in the big city and I've treated myself to a week filled with practices lead by inspiring teachers contributing to our community.  As my 2013 Vision Board comes together, one piece in particular is shining through, thanks to the wisdom of a great teacher, and like her, I think it's worth a thought or two.  It may be a new year, with new opportunities brimming to be experienced but there are also some things that have worked over the year(s), things that, in our haste to embark on exciting new habits, experiences and resolutions, we risk forgetting to carry with us.  So maybe the what inspires us isn't something new, or something to be in search of, it's already there.  The ebb and flow of community weave their way off the mat and into every knot that complicates goals and resolutions and just might be my inspiration.  What a treat to be surrounded by communities that inspire and support the movements in our lives - thanks Best Coast.

Back in the city

After a one week project in Victoria turned into 6 weeks, I'm now back in Vancouver and viewing the city through fresh eyes.

They say when it rains it pours, which is particularly true in our fair city and has become particularly true in my own life.  Recently I have signed up to write the CHRP exam, shacked up with a roommate, accepted a part-time job in hospitality, bid on a contract position, reconnected with a friend who's visiting from Ireland, and offered my place for the weekend to a friend from Berlin - in that order.  Yep, it's pouring in Vancouver and I am soaked with gratitude for all of it.  The opportunity to show off the best coast is one of my favorite things to do.  There's nothing quite like introducing someone to your home all the while, reminding yourself why you live here.  And for the meantime, I need to be killing two birds with one stone every time I throw.

Breathe in, breathe out, bring it.

Trending?

I like the idea of Social Media.  I have this blog, signed up for Twitter, avidly Facebook creep, and have all of the above set to blink on my Blackberry so that I don't miss a beat. Having said that, I don't think I'm very good at it - success comes from real time and relevancy, something that my most recent FB album of holiday pictures had neither of.  My trend? One post a month and content that leaves something to be desired.  At least, if I was to review my blog, that's what I'd say.

Today I took a quick trip to America sheerly through the magic of television and thanks to the Super Bowl.  Without even leaving the comfort of my (parents) home, I garnered a greater appreciation for the place I call home and the people that make it that way.  The quaint news cast of the local station no $3 million commercials to be found, the island wide news paper that features front page stories on ice skating over major world events and the sheer lack of football buzz around downtown Victoria today.  With frizzy hair thanks to the constant mist throughout the day, I wandered the streets and shops owned and lovingly run by the people who live here.  Before plunking myself down in front of a giant plate of nachos and the halftime show, sensationalist and fleeting.  Social media doesn't stand a chance up against the island feel for community - and I love it.

The 23rd hour

New Years resolutions, I've never been a fan, but without fail, the 23rd hour arrives and my mind is flooded with genius ideas that I take for a test drive.  This year, I sat watching two of my girl friends snuggled up by the fire.  Just writing words like hug, snuggle and cuddle makes me squirm.  Not that I'm uncomfortable with the idea, but platonic snuggling is not something that has ever been part of my repertoire.  So, starting at mid night, I hugged everyone in sight.  I think they're all tired of that fleeting resolution, so am I.

More in tune with my attempt to stay present as the world flies by, I'm taking a page from my friend Manusha Janakiram's book.  2011 will be the year I document my life in photos, one a day.  Now that's a resolution. 1.1.11.

Better late than never

So... I've been living the life of eternal summer for a couple of years now.  And admittedly probably should have started a blog long before today.  But there's no time like the present and with a flight to Costa Rica breathing down my neck, it seems like the perfect way to procrastinate from packing and cleaning.

I have no idea what you can expect to see or hear about on Best Coast Adventures.  I can promise rambling commentaries, soap box moments and random attempts at artistic photography from my travels near and far from home.  Until that time... stay true.

~ Jane